Category: hollywood

Posted on

Deep Dive into Springsteen on Tola Talks # 199

On today’s Tola Talks, we discuss a variety of topics including three more favorite movies from the 1980s, Halloween celebrations, and a deep dive into the life and music of Bruce Springsteen. Springsteen not only changed my life and the lives of so many other small town New Jerseyans, he was more than a rock star. To us, Bruce, aka, The Boss, was God. This episode concludes with reflections on Springsteen’s legacy and a recommendation to watch his movie ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere.’

Happy Halloween everyone…have fun and get your workout in! Peace – R

Posted on

Movie Review and Hollywood Woes on Tola Talks # 198

On today’s Tola Talks, we discuss various controversies dominating the news including Russian sanctions, White House construction projects, and the Gaza cease fire, before shifting to a nostalgic celebration of Major League Baseball – the 1989 movie starring Tom Berenger and Charlie Sheen, Major League – plus a good luck shout-out to the former New York Yankee and bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, Don Mattingly, aka, Donnie Baseball. We also reflect on the decline of Hollywood and the impact of the 1980s on film, sharing my Top 30 movie picks from that era, highlighting their cultural significance as well as my personal memories associated with them.

Have a great day everyone, and as always, get your workout in! Peace – R

Posted on

Word of the Day: Enough on Tola Talks # 194

In this episode of Tola Talks, we discuss the theme of ‘enough’ in various contexts, including media confidence, the US government shutdown, the Gaza war, plus societal standards. We also highlight the recent Gallup poll titled, “Media Trust Falls Again”, that details how trust and confidence in mass media has declined to a low of 28% (down from 72% in the late 1970’s).

And of course there’s some inspiring talk about the commitment to fitness (and of course my favorite, weightlifting), personal motivation, and the importance of adhering to a daily fitness program. I also reflect on personal heroes like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Joe Dodd, including cool movie nostalgia (Pumping Iron, The Italian Job, The Breakfast Club) as well as encouraging everyone to maintain a positive outlook and to stay active.

Finally, there’s some fun talk about me binging on the 1997 series, Law and Order, plus the 12 Hollywood myths that are totally fake. Check it out and Subscribe to watch us LIVE! Peace – R

Posted on

AI Actors are Here to Stay on Tola Talks # 192

Today on Tola Talks – Live we’re talking about AI actor Tilly Norwood and the uproar she’s causing in Hollywood, the 2009 sci-fi classic, Star Trek, RIP shout-outs to Jane Goodall and Tom Petty, fitness tips for folks like me with major back problems, some talk about the US government shutdown, plus the Autistic kids in my new book, The Sub: Tales of an Inner-City Teacher.

Thanks for tuning in everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

Posted on

Old Town, New Beginnings

Who says you can’t go home after pursuing your dreams for more than 15 years in America’s most storied town, aka, Tinseltown. And why not add a little bit of new beginnings to the mix and make it an amazing homecoming for “a hometown boy born a rolling stone”, just like Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles sing in their 2005 rendition of “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

The good news is I’m super excited to begin again in New York City with my new talent agent, Katherine and the Made Worldwide Agency (click HERE to visit my profile). No doubt the future is looking brighter than ever as my years of production experience and insights will serve me well. Just like my years of teaching Tola Yoga to thousands of students throughout the United States.

On a more personal note, today also marks the 15 year anniversary of my sobriety. For those of you who’ve read my memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood, you may recall this excerpt from Chapter 56 – No Mas, when I got drunk for the very last time:

“I woke up a few hours later and felt like I just got run over by a Mack truck. No worries, because I no longer drank and I was free from that liquid noose around my neck I wore for the past 20 years. Although it would take another month before I was completely free from beer and alcohol cravings of any sort, I would never drink again. And I haven’t.”

The same holds true for today – I haven’t, and I’d like to give a special shout-out to my hypnotherapist, Laura, who made it all possible. Simply the best and simplest treatment for me, with no program to follow other than Laura’s weekly dose of hypnotherapy combined with my strong desire to succeed in Hollywood.

Like I’ve been saying since I began this journey from the lovely confines of my Upper East Side apartment, anything is possible if you set your sights and try. So keep rockin’ your goals and dreams and perhaps your desire to quit drinking alcohol altogether. And never say “I can’t”, because you can if you really want to.

Have an awesome December everyone…and get your workout in! Peace – R

Posted on

Top Stories of 2021 – Ep 6 – Tola Talks Texas

Today we’re talking about finishing the year strong as well as assessing your goals, successes and failures in 2021. Because it’s always best to acknowledge your small victories in the war when it comes to your personal, family, business and “Universe” lives. We also countdown the Top 10 Stories of the Year, plus my own Top 5 Highlights as well as my entertainment goals for 2022 including making the short film, All Mixed Up, plus a more lofty one…working with Noomi Rapace. She’s the six time award winning lead actress in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy (I highly recommend watching all three films on Crackle). Not to mention more talk about working out and drinking from the Fountain of Youth and of course, my predictions for where Robinhood’s seven cryptocurrencies are headed in the New Year. Stay safe and sound and perhaps even sober tonight everyone (like me)…and get your workout in! Peace – R

Posted on

Holidays are Made for Workouts…Really!

Happy Holidays everyone!

That means more time spent running around as well as more time spent lounging around the house, mostly before and after meals, right?

Wrong…because the holidays are a great time NOT to lounge around doing nothing but to instead, get your workout in. Whether it be the extra cardio – yes, zipping around the mall counts – or making use of that “lounging” time by hitting your gym or local community center for a quick 20 minute workout, just do it. That’s right, it’s easier to get your workout in during the holidays because who really wants you standing around the kitchen or taking up space in the living room hours before the meal. That’s how I look at it, squeeze every workout or group class or Tola Yoga class into your schedule, no matter where you are, and make that time all about maintaining your strong body – clear mind. No doubt good health always triumphs over bad. So make it good.

And if you need a little inspiration for some additional get up and go…or if you really need to Get Your Sh#! Together then watch my two films, Skateboard Bandits and Zen Diaries: The Lockdown. Sometimes we all could use a swift kick in the butt from badass attorney turned yoga master, Bobby D’Angelo.

Have an awesome Thanksgiving everyone, and get your workout in! Peace – R

Posted on

“Skate like a bat outta hell”

Hey everyone, we just released Skateboard Bandits on YouTube and Vimeo.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who conspire to take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank. We filmed all 18 scenes in one day, throughout the streets of LA.

Looking forward to releasing my next short narrative, Zen Diaries: The Lockdown, coming this November.

Peace – R

Posted on

Skateboard Bandits – Coming Soon!

Hey everyone, I just completed my first scripted narrative short, Skateboard Bandits, soon to be released in September.

It’s a 12 minute character-driven thriller about a band of skateboarders who take revenge into their own hands – the second time around – and risk life and limb to rob a bank.

Super excited to finish another film project on-time and on-budget. It took 90 days and cost $1000 from start to finish. For my next production, I look forward to releasing a “Boulevard Zen” short film spin-off, exactly ten years since the 2009 premiere of my first film.

For more information please contact me at: info@twostrikehitter.com

Have an awesome day and always remember…get your workout in! Peace – R